Cap with unique rubber piping

ABSTRACT

Piping for the crown of a cap and a cap so disposed with piping. The piping is formed into the crown as by attachment to cloth covers, gores, or otherwise. The piping may be made if plastic and may have a logo attached or formed therein as by embossment, engraving, or the like. The piping may enhance the grip upon the hat and may increase the attractiveness and/or appeal of such a hat. Additionally, a logo made of material the same, similar, or different from the crown piping may be used to decorate the cap at its crown or otherwise. The logo may entrap the crown between the logo and backing located inside the crown. The logo may be fastened to the cap by a variety of fasteners including stitching and adhesive.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/422,016 filed Apr. 22, 2003 entitled RubberPiping on Cap Bill Edge which application is incorporated herein by thisreference thereto.

COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION

[0002] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document may containmaterial which is subject to copyright and/or mask work protection. Thecopyright and/or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records,but otherwise reserves all copyright and/or mask work rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to hats or caps, such as baseball caps,and more particularly to rubber, leather, or other piping thatcircumscribes at least a part of the perimeter of the crown for suchcap, as well as a logo for such a crown.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Caps, such as baseball caps, are well known in the art and areoften used for recreational purposes. The bowl, crown, or body of thecap provides means by which the head may be covered in order to keep itprotected from the sun and the attached bill, brim, or visor standsgenerally horizontally from the crown in order to provide a shade forthe eyes. The baseball cap as a whole is generally made of cloth withoptional stiffening material such as cardboard or plastic used toreinforce the bill. The cap may be made in a number of sections and mayhave a stretchable headband in order to provide elastic engagement forthe head of the wearer.

[0007] The bill for such caps generally includes a piece of resilientmaterial, such as cardboard or plastic, that is enclosed in cloth orother material to provide a more attractive and uniform appearance,among other things. The entire bill assembly may be stitched to the bowlwith its sweatband or headband in order to provide an integratedbaseball cap, hat, or other headgear having a bill.

[0008] Several attempts have been made previously to complement oraugment the bill of a hat, such as a baseball cap. Listed below areseveral patents and/or publications relevant to the such previousattempts made to achieve such augmentation or decoration. While thedescriptions are believed to be accurate, no admission is made by themregarding their subject matter which is solely defined by the patent orreference involved. 6,449,773 2002/0042941 A1 6,370,696 Des. 452,767Des. 419,281 6,243,877 6,015,604 5,765,229 5,754,983, 5,206,0614,964,171 4,914,755 5,701,607 5,553,327 4,606,077 4,093,694 3,869,5352,931,046 2,389,388 Des. 130,160 2,038,875 2,088,930 1,709,856

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 1,709,856 discloses a hat and method of making,wherein the hat has a rubberized binding strip sewn to the outer edge ofthe brim as shown in FIG. 8 (element 20) and page 1, line 110 et seq.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,038,875 discloses a hat having a brim with achannel defined along the brims outer edge wherein a rubber tube isretained within the channel by a binding as shown in FIG. 4 (elements 14and 16) and column 2, lines 25-46.

[0011] U.S. Patent No. 2002/0042941 discloses hat decorations that aredesigned to fit over the edge of a brim of the hat as shown in FIGS. 2and 4.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,061 discloses a headgear having an openingwith an edge containing an elastic material disposed along the edge,wherein the elastic material is a rubber string as shown in column 3,lines 3-7.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 2,391,046 discloses a reinforcement for a capvisor, wherein the reinforcement is a decorative stiffener trim mountedalong the visor periphery as shown in column 1, lines 27-49.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,077 discloses a visor having a bead aroundthe outer periphery of the bill as shown in column 3, lines 63-65.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 2,088,930 discloses a hat with a layer ofvulcanized rubber on its brim as shown in column 1, line 24 et seq.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 2,389,388 discloses a device and method forstitching hat brims.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,535 discloses a method of embossing syntheticmaterial using rollers.

[0018] Several patents disclose headwear having bills or visors made ofrubber, including: U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,983, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,229(column 2, lines 20-27 and column 5, line 59 et seq.), and U.S. Pat. No.4,964,171 (column 2, lines 42-44).

[0019] Some patents disclose headwear having indicia on the bill,including: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,877, 4,914,755, 5,701,607, 6,370,696,6,449,773, and 5,553,327.

[0020] Some patents disclose a method for embossing indicia onto rubber,including: U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,694 (abstract) and U.S. Pat. No.6,015,604 (column 4, lines 17-28).

[0021] Also, attempts have been made in the art to provide ornamentationfor caps and hats as reflected by U.S. Design Patent Nos.: Des. 419,281,Des. 452,767, and Des. 130,160.

[0022] Baseball caps and the like are often used for convenience andoften indicate some disposition, mood, or opinion of the wearer. To thisextent, baseball caps are decorated with indicia, logos, and the like.This is particularly true with baseball caps for baseball teams and alsoinclude corporate hats that may have corporate logos on them.

[0023] Consequently, there is a significant interest in means by whichhats or caps can be decorated in an attractive and interesting manner.It would be an advance in the art to provide new means by which suchdecorations could be achieved in order to provide baseball hats or otherhats with bills and/or crowns that are more attractive, more desirable,and fun to wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the knowntypes of hats and hat crown decorations now present in the prior art,the present invention provides a new baseball cap having pipingcircumscribing part of its crown wherein such piping can include logos,indicia, or the like and provide an attractive decoration for the billof the cap. Additionally, new logo devices may provide unique decorationfor the cap's crown, bill, or other structure.

[0025] The general purpose of the present invention, which will bedescribed subsequently in greater detail, is to provide piping for thecrown of a baseball cap which has many advantages of previous baseballcap crowns and decorations therefor, and many normal features thatresult in a new and attractive decoration for baseball caps as well as apossibly-useful grip-enhancing device which is not anticipated, renderedobvious, suggested, taught, or even implied in the prior art baseballcaps or hats, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0026] Piping in the form of leather, rubber, or other material iscoupled or attached to the crown of the cap by means of adhesion,stitching, the use of cloth covers, or the like. The piping itselfgenerally has a flat base that extends rearwardly from a forwardprojection that projects upwardly from the base. The piping can be madeof plastic, leather, or other materials. The piping can also be attachedto the cloth cover that enshrouds or composes the crown in a mannerwhere the piping follows the upper or outer exterior of the crown.Stitching may also be used to attach the piping to the crown.

[0027] The piping may be manufactured by providing a rubber, elastic, orflexible material. In addition, indicia deposited upon the face of thepiping may be in melted rubber form and deposited on to the rubber orother strip comprising the base of the piping. After deposition of themelted material or otherwise, such indicia material is immediatelycooled with cooling gas or otherwise and thereafter formed onto or intothe bill edge in order to provide the piping set forth herein.

[0028] The piping may follow the curvature of the crown as it descendsto the top much in the manner of the seams between the separate,often-present gores that may compose the crown of the cap. A logo or thelike may be attached to the crown or elsewhere on the cap and maygenerally share similar characteristics to the piping with respect toconstruction and attachment of the logo to the cap. In order to bettersecure the logo to the cap, backing may be used in order to secure anystitching or other attachment means to the cap and prevent suchattachments means from pulling through the crown material or otherwiseallowing the logo to detach itself from the crown.

[0029] In one embodiment, a baseball cap has a crown with one or moregores with a bill attached to the crown. Embossable piping is coupled tothe crown, the piping also being at least partially exposed and visible,and having a flat base portion extending rearwardly and coupled to thecrown. The piping has an upwardly projecting portion coupled to andprojecting away from the flat base portion, the upwardly projectingportion being at least partially visible from outside the cap. A firstembossed indicia is coupled to the upwardly projecting portion so thatthe first indicia is visible from outside the cap. A first gore may becoupled to a top side of the piping and a second gore may be coupled toa bottom side of the piping.

[0030] The first and second gores may coupled to the piping in a varietyof ways, including (but not limited to): the first and second goresadhesively attached to the piping, the first and second gores stitchedlyattached to the piping, and the first and second gores stitchedlyattached to the piping then doubled back to protect exposed edges of thefirst and second gores.

[0031] An embossable logo may be coupled to the crown and be at leastpartially exposed and visible from outside the cap. A separate embossedindicia may be coupled to the logo so that the logo indicia is visiblefrom outside the cap. Two gores may be coupled to a bottom side of thelogo. The two gores may be coupled to the logo in a variety of ways,including (but not limited to): adhesively attached to the logo andstitchedly attached to the logo.

[0032] Lastly, a backing may be applied to an inside of the crown toentrap the crown between the backing and the logo.

[0033] In one embodiment of a method consistent with the present system,a method for decorating a cap is set forth. In the method, a baseballcap crown having gores is provided and a baseball cap bill is attachedto the crown. Embossable piping is attached to the crown, the pipingcoupled to the crown and being partially exposed and visible. The pipingmay have a flat base portion extending rearwardly and coupled to thecrown. The piping may have an upwardly projecting portion coupled to andprojecting away from the flat base portion, the upwardly projectingportion being at least partially visible from outside the cap.

[0034] Embossed indicia is applied to the piping by laying on meltedmaterial on the piping, the melted material in form of the pipingindicia. The melted material is then cooled to set the piping indicia. Afirst gore may be coupled to a top side of the piping and a second goremay be coupled to a bottom side of the piping. The coupling of the firstand second gores to the piping may be achieved in a variety of manners,including (but not limited to): adhesively attaching the first andsecond gores to the piping, stitchedly attaching the first and secondgores to the piping, and the first and second gores stitchedly attachedto the piping then doubled back to protect exposed edges of the firstand second gores.

[0035] An embossable logo may be attached to the crown, the logo coupledto the crown and being partially exposed and visible from outside thecap. Embossed indicia may be separately applied to the logo by laying onmelted material on the logo, the melted material in form of the desiredindicia. The melted material may be cooled to set the second indicia.

[0036] Two gores may be coupled to a bottom side of the logo. Thecoupling of the two gores to the logo may be achieved in a variety ofmanners, including (but not limited to): adhesively attaching the goresto the logo and stitchedly attaching the gores to the logo. Lastly, abacking may be applied to an inside of the crown to entrap the third andfourth gores between the backing and the logo.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0037] It is an object of the present invention to provide decorationfor hats, baseball caps, and the like.

[0038] It is another object of the present invention to providedecorative piping for the crown of a baseball cap.

[0039] It is yet another object of the present invention to providedecorative piping for the crown of a baseball cap, such piping includingindicia, logos, lettering, or the like.

[0040] It is yet another object of the present invention to providedecorative piping for the seams between gores in the crown of a baseballcap.

[0041] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide adecorative logo that may display indicia, the logo being attachable to acap.

[0042] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide adecorative logo capable of displaying indicia upon the logo.

[0043] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from a review of the following specification andaccompanying drawings. The foregoing objects are some of but a few ofthe goals sought to be attained by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044]FIG. 1 is a right side front perspective view of a baseball caphaving the piping circumscribing the bill as set forth herein.

[0045]FIG. 2 is an enlarged portion of a part of the piping shown inFIG. 1 along circle 2.

[0046]FIG. 3 is a right front perspective view of the baseball cap shownin FIG. 1 with the piping, the bill portion of the baseball cap beingshown in exploded view.

[0047]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0048]FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the cross section shown inFIG. 4.

[0049]FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment of the cross sectionshown in FIG. 4.

[0050]FIG. 7 is a right side perspective view of a cap having crownpiping and a logo.

[0051]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a logo, crown and backing ofthe cap shown in FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

[0052]FIG. 9 is a close up view of the crown piping as indicated bycircle 9 of FIG. 7.

[0053]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the crown piping of FIG. 9taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0054] The detailed description set forth below in connection with theappended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferredembodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the onlyforms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized.The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

[0055] The detailed description set forth below in connection with theappended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferredembodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the onlyforms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized.The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

[0056] Referring to the drawings where like numerals of referencedesignate like elements throughout it will be noted that the hat 100shown in FIG. 1 is a hat of typical baseball cap-like constructionhaving a bowl, crown, or cap portion 102 to which a bill, brim or visor104 is attached. The bill 104 extends out generally horizontally fromthe base of the bowl 102 and serves as a shade for the eyes of a wearer(not shown) of the cap 100.

[0057] Circumscribing the bill 104 is piping 110. The piping generallycircumscribes the exterior perimeter of the bill 104 along its upperedge or top. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the pipingshown in FIG. 1. As indicated in FIG. 2, the piping 110 may carry a logo112 or the like in order to provide additional enhancements to thepiping 110. The piping 110 may be flush with the edge of the bill 114 ormay be slightly offset from it as shown in FIG. 2.

[0058]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the bill portion of the hat 100.The bill 104 has a top cloth cover 120 and a bottom cloth cover 122. Thetop and bottom cloth covers 120, 122 are cut in form fitting fashion sothat they fit closely with the stiffener 130 and serve to provide anattractive cloth cover of any desired color or texture that maycomplement or offset the color, texture, and fabric of the bowl 102. Thepiping 110 is generally trapped or held between the top cloth cover 120and the stiffener 130 in a fashion such that the piping 100 does notmove with respect to the bill 104. Other means of attaching or embeddingthe piping 110 to the bill 104 may also be used. Such fixing of thepiping 100 is shown in cross section in FIGS. 4-6 in alternativeembodiments. These views correspond to a view taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 2.

[0059] Especially in conjunction with the piping 110 shown in FIG. 3,FIG. 4 shows that the piping 110 has an inwardly extending base 140which at its forward end terminates in an upward projection 142. Thepiping base 140 forms a foundation for the engagement of the piping 100by the bill 104 through one or more of the top cloth cover 120, thestiffener 130, or the bottom cloth cover 122. Although not shown in FIG.4, the stiffener 130 may be present in the bill 104 as part of thebottom cloth cover 122, may be offset from the piping 110 so as not tobe present in FIG. 4, or may be absent entirely from the bill 104.

[0060] In FIG. 4, the top cloth cover 120 is shown adhesively attachedto a top portion of the base 140 with the forward section and topprojection 142 with the piping 110 left exposed and visible. The bottomcloth cover 122 is likewise adhesively attached by an adhesive 150 tothe bottom of the base 140 and the piping 110. The same or a similaradhesive 150 may be used to attach the top cloth cover to the top of thebase 140.

[0061] When the piping 100 is so engaged by the top cloth cover 120 andthe bottom cloth cover 122 as shown in FIG. 4, the stiffener 130 may beinserted into the envelope created by the attachment of the top andbottom cloth covers 120, 122 by the piping 110. The stiffener 130 andthe top and bottom cloth covers 120, 122 established the bill 104 andare then attached to the bowl 122 with stitching or the like in afashion that generally exerts some tension on the stiffener 130. Thestiffener 130 may have the additional feature of holding the top andbottom cloth covers 120, 122 in place as well as the piping 110.

[0062] Alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 5, stitching 160 may be usedto attach the top and bottom cloth covers 120, 122 as well as thestiffener 130 to the piping 110 in a manner similar to that shown inFIG. 4 which leaves the top projection 142 of the piping 110 as well asthe front of the piping 110 exposed and visible.

[0063] Alternatively, FIG. 6 portrays an additional embodiment where thetop cloth cover 120 and bottom cloth cover 122 can be independently orcoordinatingly stitched to the piping 110. When so independentlystitched to the piping 110, the top and bottom cloth covers can be soattached in a manner where the cloth covers 120, 122 are folded backupon themselves so as to form a generally narrow doubled-back layer oneither side of the piping 110.

[0064] Initially, the cloth covers 120, 122 are stitchedly attached nearone edge to opposite sides of the piping 110. The major portion of thecloth covers 120, 122 then temporarily extend over and past the upwardprojection 142. In such a situation, the base 140 of the piping 110 withits rearward projection could be, for the temporary purposes ofdescribing this attachment, considered to be the forward portion of thepiping 110. A margin of fabric for both the top and bottom cloth covers120, 122 is then provided there which is forward of the stitching thatattaches the top and bottom cloth covers 120, 122 to the piping 110.This leaves a cloth envelope with the top projection 142 of the piping110 covered by the inside of such a cloth envelope. This cloth envelopeis then turned inside out so that the fabric doubles back upon thepreviously-forward margin and the stiffener 130 may be inserted intothis envelope beneath the base 140 so as to provide the bill 104 shownin FIG. 1.

[0065] Other means may also be used by which the piping 110 may beattached either directly to the stiffener 130, the top cloth cover 120,the bottom cloth cover 122 or any combination thereof.

[0066] One advantage to using rubber or the like with a logo 112 is thatthe piping 110 actually provides a convenient means by which to keep agrip on the cap 100 by engaging its bill 104. The base 140 of the piping110 is then present underneath the top cloth cover 120 and is tactilelydiscernible when grasping the edge of the brim 104. The exposedprojection 142 or other area of the piping 110 also provides means thatenhance the grip and engageability of the hat 100. This is particularlytrue when a logo 112 is present along the projection 142 as it providesadditional means by which a grip can be better established andmaintained on the bill 104.

[0067] As indicated above, the piping 110 can be made of a variety ofdifferent substances and materials including plastic, leather, and thelike. Generally, the piping 110 is a prefabricated strip of suchmaterial and the logo 112 may be deposited by the careful application ofmelted rubber or the like, stitching (as in the case of leather) orotherwise, generally prior to the incorporation of the piping 110 intothe bill 104.

[0068] Where melted rubber is deposited as on a plastic or rubber pipingstrip 110, it may be immediately cooled with cooling gas and there afterformed into the bill edge as indicated above. The resulting piping 110with indicia 112 may thereafter be formed onto or into the bill edge inorder to provide the piping set forth herein. Other series of steps maybe used such as adding the indicia after the piping 110 is coupled tothe bill 104. However, it is currently contemplated that such additionof indicia 112 after attachment of the piping 110 to the bill 104 maypresent problems during manufacture. The piping 110 and any logo 112 maybe the same or different colors depending upon the preferences of themanufacturer or consumer.

[0069] Beyond the additional gripping enhancements that the pipingprovides to the hat 100, any logo 112 may serve to enhance theattractiveness or appeal of the cap as by adding the name of a popularcelebrity, products (for hats used as advertisements), sayings orquotations, designs, or any other printed matter that fits sufficientlyon the projection 142 of the piping 110.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 7-10, piping may also be added to the crown 102of the hat 100. Individual gores 170 generally form the crown 102 of thehat 100. The gores 170 generally terminate at the top in a button 172from which the crown piping 174 may travel to the base 176 of the crown102. The crown piping 174 may generally travel along seams 178 presentbetween the gores 170. The crown piping 174 may be much the same orexactly the same as the piping 100 circumscribing the edge 114 of thebill 104 as shown in other Figures.

[0071] The logo 180 may sit astride an intergore seam 178 and may beattached to the crown 102 by such stitching 160 similar to thatdescribed previously and as shown in the other Figures.

[0072] The logo 180 may be made of material similar to that of thepiping 110, 174 with indicia present on the logo 180 to the extentdesired and applied in a manner similar to that with respect to logosand indicia applied to the piping 110, 174.

[0073]FIG. 8 shows in cross section a portion of the logo 180 shown inFIG. 7. The portrayal of the logo 180 is generally taken along the line8-8 of FIG. 7 and shows side stitching 160. The stitching 160 may passthrough the logo 180, the crown 102 and backing 182 in order to attachthe logo 180 to the crown 102. The backing 182 serves as means by whichthe stitching 160 can be held firmly in conjunction with the logo 180and the crown 102 or otherwise. The fabric of the crown 102 may be softand may be subject to tearing or possibly allow pull through of thestitching 160 such that the logo 180 could become loose as the stitching160 made detach from the crown 102. The backing 182 may be of strongerand preferably thinner material that forms a strong foundation to whichthe stitching 160 may attach. A thin sheet of poly-paraphenyleneterephthalamide (Kevlar®) or similarly- or sufficiently-performingmaterial that can be perforated in the stitching process in order toengage the threads of the stitching 160 is one example of the type ofmaterial that could be used for the backing 182. However, less expensivematerial such as resilient plastic or polyethylene might be used.Polyesters and or polyethylenes such as Mylar® may make a good materialfrom which the backing 102 may be constructed.

[0074] As indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the logo 180 may sit astride theseam 178 between two gores 170. This is generally consistent withcurrent construction of baseball caps and the like. As a result, theattachment of the logo 180 to the crown 102 may serve to also hold theseam 178 together although the seam 178 should be able to be heldtogether on its own without the help of the logo 180. Other approachesto the attachment of the logo 180 to the crown 102 may be used includingadhesives and other fasteners. The logo 180 is generally not removablefrom the cap 100 although the logo 180 set forth herein is generallyindependent of the cap to which it is attached, much like theconstruction of the piping 110, 174 which is generally not dependentupon the hat 100 to which it is attached.

[0075]FIG. 9 shows a close up of the crown piping 174. FIG. 9 is similarto that of FIG. 2 and the piping 174 used for the crown 170 may besimilar to the piping 110 used for the bill or brim 104. The crownpiping 174 may be similar in construction to that of the bill piping 110and FIG. 10 may be mechanically similar to the structure shown in FIG.4. In fact, in at least one embodiment, the disclosure set forth hereinwith respect to the bill piping 110 may be applied to the crown piping174.

[0076] The crown piping 174 has a piping base 140 and a pipingprojection 142 in a manner similar to that for the bill piping 110.Adhesive 150 may be used to attach the adjacent gores 170 to one anotherby means of the crown piping 174. However, in contrast to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 4, instead of the lower gore 170 proceedingparallel and adjacent to the top gore 170, the lower gore 170 travelsaway from the crown piping 174. In FIG. 4, the bottom cloth cover 122travels in the same direction as the top cloth cover 120 as this isrequired by the configuration needed for the bill 104. As the gores 170generally provide the cover needed for the person's head, and as thereis no stiffener 130 generally used in conjunction with the crown 102,the two gores 170 are set in a fixed side-by-side manner to provide thecrown 102.

[0077] The coupling of the two gores 170 at the crown piping 172 definea seam 178. While the seam 178 may be reinforced or entirely establishedby stitching or the like, FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of the crownpiping system where an adhesive 150 is used to couple the two gores 170.Other means of attachment, such as those set forth above with respect tothe bill piping 110, may also be used to good advantage with respect tothe gore seams 178 of the crown 102.

[0078] Moreover, as the crown piping 174 and the logo 180 are made ofgenerally the same material as the bill piping 110, the disclosure setforth above with respect to the bill piping 110, its construction, andits attachment to different hat portions and structures are generallyapplicable to both the crown piping 174 and the logo 180. In analternative embodiment, the backing 182 may be one having multiplelayers (not shown) in order to provide better performance or otherwise.

[0079] The logo may be positioned at the front center of the crown 102as is generally well known for baseball caps and the like. However,other locations may be used for disposition of the logo 180 includingthe rear and/or sides of the cap as well as the bill. Along these lines,the piping 174 for the crown 120 may be located along seams 178 orelsewhere and may circumscribe the cap in a circular manner centeredupon the top button 172, may serve as stripes running along the heightof the cap along the seams 178, or otherwise, only limited by theimagination of the cap designer. With respect to the backing, thebacking should be located on the side of the crown opposite that of thelogo 180, so that the backing 182 is on the side of the crown 102opposite that of the logo 180.

[0080] While the present invention has been described with regards toparticular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations ofthe present invention may be devised without departing from theinventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap with a crown, comprising: embossablepiping, said piping coupled to the crown, said piping also beingpartially exposed and visible.
 2. A cap with a crown as set forth inclaim 1, further comprising: the cap being a baseball cap.
 3. A cap witha crown as set forth in claim 1, said piping further comprising: a flatbase portion extending rearwardly and coupled to the crown; and anupwardly projecting portion coupled to and projecting away from thecrown, said upwardly projecting portion being at least partially visiblefrom outside the cap.
 4. A cap with a crown as set forth in claim 3,said piping further comprising: embossed indicia, said indicia coupledto said upwardly projecting portion whereby said indicia is visible fromoutside the cap.
 5. A cap with a crown as set forth in claim 1, thecrown further comprising: a first crown portion coupled to a top side ofsaid piping; and a second crown portion coupled to a bottom side of saidpiping.
 6. A cap with a crown as set forth in claim 5, the crown furthercomprising: said first and second portions of the crown coupled to saidpiping in a manner selected from the group consisting of: said first andsecond portions adhesively attached to said piping; said first andsecond portions stitchedly attached to said piping; and said first andsecond portions stitchedly attached to said piping then doubled back toprotect exposed edges of said top and bottom covers.
 7. A cap with acrown as set forth in claim 5, the crown further comprising: said firstcrown portion being a first gore; and said second crown portion being asecond gore.
 8. A cap with a crown as set forth in claim 5, furthercomprising: a bill attached to the crown.
 9. A baseball cap with acrown, comprising: embossable piping, said piping coupled to the crown,said piping also being partially exposed and visible, said piping havinga flat base portion extending rearwardly and coupled to the crown andsaid piping having an upwardly projecting portion coupled to andprojecting away from said flat base portion, said upwardly projectingportion being at least partially visible from outside the cap; embossedindicia, said indicia coupled to said upwardly projecting portionwhereby said indicia is visible from outside the cap; a first crownportion coupled to a top side of said piping; and a second crown portioncoupled to a bottom side of said piping.
 10. A baseball cap with a crownas set forth in claim 9, said crown further comprising: said first andsecond portions of the crown being respectively first and second gorescoupled to said piping in a manner selected from the group consistingof: said first and second gores adhesively attached to said piping; saidfirst and second gores stitchedly attached to said piping; and saidfirst and second gores stitchedly attached to said piping then doubledback to protect exposed edges of said first and second gores.
 11. Abaseball cap with a crown as set forth in claim 9, further comprising: abill attached to said crown.
 12. A method for decorating a cap, thesteps comprising: providing a crown; and attaching piping to said crown,said piping also being partially exposed and visible.
 13. A method fordecorating a cap as set forth in claim 12, wherein the step of providinga crown further comprises: providing a baseball cap crown.
 14. A methodfor decorating a cap as set forth in claim 12, wherein said pipingfurther comprises: a flat base portion extending rearwardly and coupledto said crown; and an upwardly projecting portion coupled to andprojecting away from said flat base portion, said upwardly projectingportion being at least partially visible from outside the cap.
 15. Amethod for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 14, wherein saidpiping further comprises: embossed indicia, said indicia coupled to saidupwardly projecting portion whereby said indicia is visible from outsidethe cap.
 16. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 14, thesteps further comprising: applying embossed indicia to said piping bylaying on melted material on said piping, said melted material in formof said indicia; and cooling said melted material to set said indicia.17. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 12, the stepsfurther comprising: coupling a first crown portion to a top side of saidpiping; and coupling a second crown portion to a bottom side of saidpiping.
 18. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 17,wherein the steps of coupling said first and second crown portions tosaid piping are selected from the group consisting of: adhesivelyattaching said first and second crown portions to said piping;stitchedly attaching said first and second crown portions to saidpiping; and stitchedly attaching said first and second crown portions tosaid piping, doubling back said top and bottom covers to protect exposededges of said top and bottom covers.
 19. A method for decorating a capas set forth in claim 17, wherein the crown further comprises: saidfirst portion of said crown being a first gore; and said second portionof said crown being a second gore.
 20. A method for decorating a cap asset forth in claim 17, further comprising: attaching a bill to saidcrown.
 21. A cap prepared in accordance with claim
 12. 22. A method fordecorating a cap, the steps comprising: providing a baseball cap crown;attaching a baseball cap bill to said crown; and attaching embossablepiping to said crown, said piping coupled to said crown, said pipingalso being partially exposed and visible, said piping having a flat baseportion extending rearwardly and coupled to said crown and said pipinghaving an upwardly projecting portion coupled to and projecting awayfrom said flat base portion, said upwardly projecting portion being atleast partially visible from outside the cap; applying embossed indiciato said piping by laying on melted material on said piping, said meltedmaterial in form of said indicia; cooling said melted material to setsaid indicia; coupling a first gore to a top side of said piping; andcoupling a second gore to a bottom side of said piping.
 23. A method fordecorating a cap as set forth in claim 22, wherein the steps of couplingsaid first and second gores to said piping are selected from the groupconsisting of: adhesively attaching said first and second gores to saidpiping; stitchedly attaching said first and second gores to said piping;and said first and second gores stitchedly attached to said piping thendoubled back to protect exposed edges of said first and second gores.24. A cap prepared in accordance with claim
 22. 25. A crown for a cap,comprising: embossable piping, said piping coupled to said crown, saidpiping also being partially exposed and visible.
 26. A crown for a capas set forth in claim 25, further comprising: the cap being a baseballcap.
 27. A crown for a cap as set forth in claim 25, said piping furthercomprising: a flat base portion extending rearwardly and coupled to saidcrown; and an upwardly projecting portion coupled to and projecting awayfrom said flat base portion, said upwardly projecting portion being atleast partially visible from outside said crown.
 28. A crown for a capas set forth in claim 27, said piping further comprising: embossedindicia, said indicia coupled to said upwardly projecting portionwhereby said indicia is visible from outside said crown.
 29. A crown fora cap as set forth in claim 25, said crown further comprising: a firstcrown portion coupled to a top side of said piping; and a second crownportion coupled to a bottom side of said piping.
 30. A crown for a capas set forth in claim 29, said crown further comprising: said first andsecond crown portions coupled to said piping in a manner selected fromthe group consisting of: said first and second crown portions adhesivelyattached to said piping; said first and second crown portions stitchedlyattached to said piping; and said first and second crown portionsstitchedly attached to said piping then doubled back to protect exposededges of said first and second crown portions.
 31. A crown for a cap asset forth in claim 30, said crown further comprising: said first crownportion being a first gore; and said second crown portion being a secondgore.
 32. A baseball cap-type crown for a cap, comprising: embossablepiping, said piping coupled to the crown, said piping also beingpartially exposed and visible, said piping having a flat base portionextending rearwardly and coupled to the crown and said piping having anupwardly projecting portion coupled to and projecting away from saidflat base portion, said upwardly projecting portion being at leastpartially visible from outside said crown; embossed indicia, saidindicia coupled to said upwardly projecting portion whereby said indiciais visible from outside said crown; a first crown portion coupled to atop side of said piping; and a second crown portion coupled to a bottomside of said piping.
 33. A baseball cap-type crown for a cap as setforth in claim 32, said crown further comprising: said first and secondcrown portions coupled to said piping in a manner selected from thegroup consisting of: said first and second crown portions adhesivelyattached to said piping; said first and second crown portions stitchedlyattached to said piping; and said first and second crown portionsstitchedly attached to said piping then doubled back to protect exposededges of said first and second crown portions.
 34. A baseball cap-typecrown for a cap as set forth in claim 33, said crown further comprising:said first crown portion being a first gore; and said second crownportion being a second gore.
 35. A method for decorating a crown of acap, the steps comprising: providing a crown for a cap; and attachingpiping to said crown, said piping coupled to said crown, said pipingalso being partially exposed and visible.
 36. A method for decorating acrown of a cap as set forth in claim 35, the steps further comprising:attaching a bill to the crown.
 37. A method for decorating a crown of acap as set forth in claim 36, wherein said crown comprises a baseballcap crown.
 38. A method for decorating a crown of a cap as set forth inclaim 35, wherein the step of providing a bill further comprises:providing a baseball cap bill.
 39. A method for decorating a crown of acap as set forth in claim 35, wherein said piping further comprises: aflat base portion extending rearwardly and coupled to the crown; and anupwardly projecting portion coupled to and projecting away from saidflat base portion, said upwardly projecting portion being at leastpartially visible from outside the crown.
 40. A method for decorating acrown of a cap as set forth in claim 39, wherein said piping furthercomprises: embossed indicia, said indicia coupled to said upwardlyprojecting portion whereby said indicia is visible from outside thecrown.
 41. A method for decorating a crown of a cap as set forth inclaim 39, the steps further comprising: applying embossed indicia tosaid piping by laying on melted material on said piping, said meltedmaterial in form of said indicia; and cooling said melted material toset said indicia.
 42. A method for decorating a crown of a cap as setforth in claim 35, the steps further comprising: coupling a first crownportion to a top side of said piping; and coupling a second crownportion to a bottom side of said piping.
 43. A method for decorating acrown of a cap as set forth in claim 42, wherein the steps of couplingsaid first and second crown portions to said piping are selected fromthe group consisting of: adhesively attaching said first and secondcrown portions to said piping; stitchedly attaching said first andsecond crown portions to said piping; and stitchedly attaching saidfirst and second crown portions to said piping, doubling back said firstand second crown portions to protect exposed edges of said first andsecond crown portions.
 44. A method for decorating a crown of a cap asset forth in claim 43, further comprising: said first crown portionbeing a first gore; and said second crown portion being a second gore.45. A cap prepared in accordance with claim
 35. 46. A method fordecorating a crown of a cap, the steps comprising: providing a baseballcap crown; attaching embossable piping to said crown, said pipingcoupled to said crown, said piping also being partially exposed andvisible, said piping having a flat base portion extending rearwardly andcoupled to said crown and said piping having an upwardly projectingportion coupled to and projecting away from said flat base portion, saidupwardly projecting portion being at least partially visible fromoutside said crown; applying embossed indicia to said piping by layingon melted material on said piping, said melted material in form of saidindicia; cooling said melted material to set said indicia; coupling afirst gore edge to a top side of said piping; and coupling a second goreedge to a bottom side of said piping.
 47. A method for decorating acrown of a cap as set forth in claim 46, wherein the steps of couplingsaid first and second gore edges to said piping are selected from thegroup consisting of: adhesively attaching said first and second goreedges to said piping; stitchedly attaching said first and second goreedges to said piping; and stitchedly attaching said first and secondgore edges to said piping, doubling back said first and second gores toprotect exposed edges of said first and second gore edges.
 48. A methodfor decorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 46, furthercomprising: attaching a baseball cap bill to the crown.
 49. A capprepared in accordance with claim
 46. 50. A cap with a crown,comprising: an embossable logo, said logo coupled to the crown and beingpartially exposed and visible.
 51. A cap with a crown as set forth inclaim 50, further comprising: the cap being a baseball cap.
 52. A capwith a crown as set forth in claim 51, further comprising: embossedindicia, said indicia coupled to said logo whereby said indicia isvisible from outside the cap.
 53. A cap with a crown as set forth inclaim 50, the crown further comprising: a first crown portion coupled toa bottom side of said logo; and a second crown portion coupled to saidbottom side of said logo.
 54. A cap with a crown as set forth in claim53, the crown further comprising: said first and second portions of thecrown coupled to said logo in a manner selected from the groupconsisting of: said first and second portions adhesively attached tosaid logo; said first and second portions stitchedly attached to saidlogo.
 55. A cap with a crown as set forth in claim 53, the crown furthercomprising: said first crown portion being a first gore; and said secondcrown portion being a second gore.
 56. A cap with a crown as set forthin claim 53, further comprising: a bill attached to the crown.
 57. A capwith a crown as set forth in claim 50, further comprising: backingapplied to an inside of the crown to entrap the crown between saidbacking and said logo.
 58. A baseball cap with a crown, comprising: anembossable logo, said logo coupled to the crown and being partiallyexposed and visible, said logo being at least partially visible fromoutside the cap; embossed indicia, said indicia coupled to said logowhereby said indicia is visible from outside the cap; a first crownportion coupled to a bottom side of said logo; and a second crownportion coupled to said bottom side of said logo.
 59. A baseball capwith a crown as set forth in claim 58, the crown further comprising:said first and second crown portions being respectively first and secondgores coupled to said logo in a manner selected from the groupconsisting of: said first and second gores adhesively attached to saidlogo; said first and second gores stitchedly attached to said logo. 60.A baseball cap with a crown as set forth in claim 58, the crown furthercomprising: backing applied to an inside of the crown to entrap thecrown between said backing and said logo.
 61. A method for decorating acap, the steps comprising: providing a crown; and attaching anembossable logo to said crown, said logo also being partially exposedand visible.
 62. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 61,wherein the step of providing a crown further comprises: providing abaseball cap crown.
 63. A method for decorating a cap as set forth inclaim 61, wherein said logo further comprises: embossed indicia, saidindicia coupled to said logo whereby said indicia is visible fromoutside the cap.
 64. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim61, the steps further comprising: applying embossed indicia to said logoby laying on melted material on said logo, said melted material in formof said indicia; and cooling said melted material to set said indicia.65. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 61, the stepsfurther comprising: coupling a first crown portion to a bottom side ofsaid logo; and coupling a second crown portion to said bottom side ofsaid logo.
 66. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 65,wherein the steps of coupling said first and second crown portions tosaid logo are selected from the group consisting of: adhesivelyattaching said first and second crown portions to said logo; andstitchedly attaching said first and second crown portions to said logo.67. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 66, furthercomprising: said first crown portion being a first gore; and said secondcrown portion crown being a second gore.
 68. A method for decorating acap as set forth in claim 61, further comprising: applying backing to aninside of said crown to entrap said crown between said backing and saidlogo.
 69. A cap prepared in accordance with claim
 61. 70. A method fordecorating a cap, the steps comprising: providing a baseball cap crown;providing a baseball cap bill for attachment to said crown; andattaching an embossable logo to said crown, said logo coupled to saidcrown and being partially exposed and visible, said logo being at leastpartially visible from outside the cap; applying embossed indicia tosaid logo by laying on melted material on said logo, said meltedmaterial in form of said indicia; cooling said melted material to setsaid indicia; coupling a first gore to a bottom side of said logo; andcoupling a second gore to said bottom side of said logo.
 71. A methodfor decorating a cap as set forth in claim 70, wherein the steps ofcoupling said first and second gores to said logo are selected from thegroup consisting of: adhesively attaching said first and second gores tosaid logo; and stitchedly attaching said first and second gores to saidlogo.
 72. A method for decorating a cap as set forth in claim 70,further comprising: applying backing to an inside of said crown toentrap said first and second gores between said backing and said logo.73. A cap prepared in accordance with claim
 70. 74. A crown for a cap,comprising: an embossable logo, said logo coupled to the crown and beingpartially exposed and visible.
 75. A crown for a cap as set forth inclaim 74, further comprising: the cap being a baseball cap.
 76. A crownfor a cap as set forth in claim 74, said logo further comprising:embossed indicia, said indicia coupled to said logo whereby said indiciais visible from outside the crown.
 77. A crown for a cap as set forth inclaim 74, further comprising: a first crown portion coupled to a bottomside of said logo; and a second crown portion coupled to said bottomside of said logo.
 78. A crown for a cap as set forth in claim 77,further comprising: said first and second crown portions coupled to saidlogo in a manner selected from the group consisting of: said first andsecond crown portions adhesively attached to said logo; said first andsecond crown portions stitchedly attached to said logo.
 79. A crown fora cap as set forth in claim 78, further comprising: said first crownportion being a first gore; and said second crown portion being a secondgore.
 80. A crown for a cap as set forth in claim 74, furthercomprising: backing applied to an inside of the crown to entrap thecrown between said backing and said logo.
 81. A baseball cap-type crownfor a cap, comprising: an embossable logo, said logo coupled to thecrown and being partially exposed and visible, said logo being at leastpartially visible from outside said crown; embossed indicia, saidindicia coupled to said upwardly projecting portion whereby said indiciais visible from outside said crown; a first crown portion coupled to abottom side of said logo; and a second crown portion coupled to saidbottom side of said logo.
 82. A baseball cap-type crown for a cap as setforth in claim 79, said crown further comprising: said first and secondcrown portions coupled to said logo in a manner selected from the groupconsisting of: said first and second crown portions adhesively attachedto said logo; and said first and second crown portions stitchedlyattached to said logo.
 83. A baseball cap-type crown for a cap as setforth in claim 80, further comprising: said first crown portion being afirst gore; and said second crown portion being a second gore.
 84. Abaseball cap-type crown for a cap as set forth in claim 79, furthercomprising: backing applied to an inside of the crown to entrap thecrown between said backing and said logo.
 85. A method for decorating acrown of a cap, the steps comprising: providing a crown for a cap;attaching an embossable logo to said crown, said logo coupled to saidcrown and being partially exposed and visible; and applying embossedindicia to said logo, said indicia visible from outside the crown.
 86. Amethod for decorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 85, thesteps further comprising: attaching a bill to the crown.
 87. A methodfor decorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 86, wherein saidcrown comprises a baseball cap crown.
 88. A method for decorating acrown of a cap as set forth in claim 86, wherein the step of attaching abill further comprises: providing a baseball cap bill.
 89. A method fordecorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 85, the steps furthercomprising: applying embossed indicia to said logo by laying on meltedmaterial on said logo, said melted material in form of said indicia; andcooling said melted material to set said indicia.
 90. A method fordecorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 85, the steps furthercomprising: coupling a first crown portion to a bottom side of saidlogo; and coupling a second crown portion to said bottom side of saidlogo.
 91. A method for decorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim90, wherein the steps of coupling said first and second crown portionsto said logo are selected from the group consisting of: adhesivelyattaching said first and second crown portions to said logo; andstitchedly attaching said first and second crown portions to said logo.92. A method for decorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 90,further comprising: said first crown portion being a first gore; andsaid second crown portion being a second gore.
 93. A method fordecorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 85, furthercomprising: applying backing to an inside of said crown to entrap saidcrown between said backing and said logo.
 94. A cap prepared inaccordance with claim
 85. 95. A method for decorating a crown of a cap,the steps comprising: providing a baseball cap crown for attachment to abaseball cap bill; and attaching an embossable logo to said crown, saidlogo coupled to said crown and being partially exposed and visible, saidlogo being at least partially visible from outside said crown; applyingembossed indicia to said logo by laying on melted material on said logo,said melted material in form of said indicia; cooling said meltedmaterial to set said indicia; coupling a first gore edge to a bottomside of said logo; coupling a second gore edge to said bottom side ofsaid logo; and applying backing to an inside of said crown to entrapsaid first and second gores between said backing and said logo.
 96. Amethod for decorating a crown of a cap as set forth in claim 95, whereinthe steps of coupling said first and second gore edges to said logo areselected from the group consisting of: adhesively attaching said firstand second gore edges to said logo; and stitchedly attaching said firstand second gore edges to said logo.
 97. A cap prepared in accordancewith claim
 95. 98. A baseball cap with a crown, comprising: the crownhaving gores; a bill attached to said crown; embossable piping, saidpiping coupled to the crown, said piping also being partially exposedand visible, said piping having a flat base portion extending rearwardlyand coupled to the crown and said piping having an upwardly projectingportion coupled to and projecting away from said flat base portion, saidupwardly projecting portion being at least partially visible fromoutside the cap; first embossed indicia, said first indicia coupled tosaid upwardly projecting portion whereby said first indicia is visiblefrom outside the cap; a first gore coupled to a top side of said piping;a second gore coupled to a bottom side of said piping; and said firstand second gores coupled to said piping selected from the groupconsisting of: said first and second gores adhesively attached to saidpiping; said first and second gores stitchedly attached to said piping;and said first and second gores stitchedly attached to said piping thendoubled back to protect exposed edges of said first and second gores; anembossable logo, said logo coupled to the crown and being partiallyexposed and visible, said logo being at least partially visible fromoutside the cap; second embossed indicia, said second indicia coupled tosaid logo whereby said second indicia is visible from outside the cap; athird gore coupled to a bottom side of said logo; a fourth gore coupledto said bottom side of said logo; said third and fourth gores coupled tosaid logo in a manner selected from the group consisting of: said thirdand fourth gores adhesively attached to said logo; and said third andfourth gores stitchedly attached to said logo; and backing applied to aninside of the crown to entrap the crown between said backing and saidlogo.
 99. A method for decorating a cap, the steps comprising: providinga baseball cap crown having gores; attaching a baseball cap bill to saidcrown; attaching embossable piping to said crown, said piping coupled tosaid crown, said piping also being partially exposed and visible, saidpiping having a flat base portion extending rearwardly and coupled tosaid crown and said piping having an upwardly projecting portion coupledto and projecting away from said flat base portion, said upwardlyprojecting portion being at least partially visible from outside thecap; applying first embossed indicia to said piping by laying on meltedmaterial on said piping, said melted material in form of said firstindicia; cooling said melted material to set said first indicia;coupling a first gore to a top side of said piping; coupling a secondgore to a bottom side of said piping; the coupling of said first andsecond gores to said piping selected from the group consisting of:adhesively attaching said first and second gores to said piping;stitchedly attaching said first and second gores to said piping; saidfirst and second gores stitchedly attached to said piping then doubledback to protect exposed edges of said first and second gores; attachingan embossable logo to said crown, said logo coupled to said crown andbeing partially exposed and visible, said logo being at least partiallyvisible from outside the cap; applying second embossed indicia to saidlogo by laying on melted material on said logo, said melted material inform of said second indicia; cooling said melted material to set saidsecond indicia; coupling a third gore to a bottom side of said logo;coupling a fourth gore to said bottom side of said logo; the coupling ofsaid third and fourth gores to said logo selected from the groupconsisting of: adhesively attaching said third and fourth gores to saidlogo; and stitchedly attaching said third and fourth gores to said logo;and applying backing to an inside of said crown to entrap said third andfourth gores between said backing and said logo.